Community Development News

Lime Scooter Pilot Launches this Thursday, August 1

Post Date:07/31/2019 10:34 AM

Modes of micro-mobility will become more visible throughout the City of Rochester this week when the City Council-approved Lime Scooter pilot launches on August 1, 2019. The scooters will become part of Rochester’s grander micro-mobility vision, which currently consists of a popular bike-sharing program that includes both manual and electric cargo bikes.

Thursday’s Lime Launch

On Thursday, August 1, beginning at 4 p.m., Lime representatives will be present on Historic Third Street during Thursdays Downtown. They will offer a First Ride Academy, which provides demos and safety training for those who have not ridden a scooter before or would like to receive hands-on training directly from Lime. Approximately 50 scooters will be delivered in Rochester earlier during the day.

“Rochester’s forward-thinking commitment to providing its community with diverse transportation options is inspiring,” says Nico Probst, Midwest Government Relations for Lime. “We are excited to partner with the city on that goal and help better connect residents and visitors to the city’s many amenities with our fleet of electric scooters that make it easier and more affordable to get around.”

Currently planned to run as a pilot from August 1 to November 30, 2019, the City and Destination Medical Center (DMC) will work with Lime to identify how the scooters are being used throughout the community – whether for commuting, recreation, daily errands, and so on – and determine what benefits and issues arise from use. The City can, at any time during the pilot, require Lime to decrease the number of scooters.

Responsible Ridership

According to the Rochester Police Department, the scooters will be enforced in the same manner as a bicycle. In other words, they must travel in a bike or traffic lane, and they are not to be operated on sidewalks in the downtown business district. Click here to view a map and learn more about navigating scooters and bicycles in the Downtown Business District.

Lime representatives offered some tips to new and returning riders:

Ride responsibly at all times.

Ride only where legally permitted.

Avoid parking in the way of pedestrian walkways, service ramps, and bus/transit stops.

Wear a helmet while riding and reflective clothing/accessories at night.

Abide by all traffic laws and speed limits.

Be aware of automobiles, pedestrians, and fellow riders.

What’s Micro-Mobility?

Micro-mobility, part of the Destination Medical Center (DMC) Integrated Transit strategy, refers to personal vehicles that carry up to two passengers, such as bicycles, small electric cars, electric bicycles, and scooters. Micro-mobility helps to fill in the “gap” that occurs for commuters during their first and last mile between transit stops and home. With most shared micro-mobility options, users can simply download an app to their mobile phone where they can locate a vehicle, “unlock” it and pay the nominal fee to use it.